Improved process of recovering wool from mixed fabrics



' ation of many troubles.

, UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

JOHN GEo. PEEZEL, oE'nEw YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVED PROCESS OF RECOVERIN G WOOL FROM MIXED FABRI CS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 39,828; dated September8, 1863; antcdatcd April 3, 1863.

by means of chloride of zinc or analogous chlorides, either alone orwith the aid of diluted sulphuric acid, whereby the wool re-' mains,without being injured, as a new and use; ful article of manufacture.

I am aware that sulphuric acid has been used to render the mentionedeffect-an application which is in accordance with the wellknown chemicalfact that sulphuric acid has the property of dissolving ordecomposing'cotton, forming dextrine and sugar, 85c. but as this acid isof a Very powerful chemical character, great care must be observed inusing the same for the purpose mentioned. It is a matter of course thatthe wool cannot resist a continued action of sulphuric acid, andparticularly not a raising of temperature by the presence of thispowerful agent. Nevertheless this process has till yet been observed,but at the same time under a continu- The nature of the process and thedestroying agent used explains fully why difficulties are experiencedwhich hardly are to be avoided.

To overcome these" difficulties is the object of my invention-namely, inthe use of. chloride of zinc or chloride of calcium or other analogouschlorides. These substances possess the same property as sulphuric acid.They destroy cotton by raising the temperature to about 100 Centigradewithout injurhe wool under the same circumstances. The goods may remainin this liquid substance, hereinafter described, for twenty-four hourswithout destroying the wool, &c. It is possible, and under somecircumstances practicable, to bring the goods in concentrated boilingsolution of the before-named substances for fifteen minutes, 820., andthe res'ult will be as is required. It is otherwise very easilyunderstood why these substances are more convenient for the workmen thansulphuric acid,

the fatty matter, in a manner as may be learned from anygood book ofchemical technology, (see Knapps Hand-Book of Technology,) as may beconvenient to work with, and let it remain in this state for a while-sayhalf an hour.- The goods are then taken out and wrung in order toremovethe surplus liquid. This may be done in a shorter time and bysaving of labor by means of a centrifugal macase when the cotton texturebecomes ruined by feeble rubbing, whereby the cotton is removed in formof dust. A little practice will enable everybody to judge about thetime. After this the goods must be well washed, dried, and brought in arubbing (Walf) machine, where the destroyed cotton is separated andremoved from the wool, 8tc. They are at last brought through differentmachines as they are used in woolen manufacture, in order to obtain anice article of commerce.

In some respects-as in order to shorten the destroying process-it may bepracticable to use chloride of zinc with the aid of diluted sulphuricacid. In this case it is only necessary to bring the goods, after theyhave passed the zinc solution, in a mixture of water and sulphuric. acidof about 15 Baum for about fifteen minutes, 8w.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is-

The solution of chloride of zinc or analogous chlorides, either alone orwith the aid of diluted sulphuric acid, in a manner as described, andfor the purpose set forth.

. JOHN GEORGE PEEZEL.

Witnesses:

CHAS. F. SoNNEEoRN, FR. RUSCHHAUPT.

